Britt Burritt

That fashion is a trade is often downplayed. Most designers of clothing and accessories choose to emphasize the artistry of their work, the conception, creation and display of their wares. That’s understandable and interesting, but so much of the industry involves measuring and cutting, skilled workers, factory floors, machinery and supply chains—not so sexy but absolutely essential.

Art and trade are on full display at the 1,000-square-foot studio of design darlings Marcela Velez and Melissa Losada of M2Malletier. The duo launched their well-received and coveted collection of clearly sexy handbags in Barcelona, where they made a home for themselves in a pre-World War I cement factory that was renovated by Spanish starchitect Ricardo Bofill. The building, called La Fábrica, resembles a brutalist Gothic castle—in other words, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Reality television stars don’t always remain in orbit. Few bachelorettes or survivors continue to dot our stellar system. Usually, they fade quickly after the finale, perhaps turning up for a post-show interview, their sparkle somewhat dimmed.

Not Christian Siriano′s. The onetime reality contestant’s star has burned more brightly, year after year, for over a decade, attracting superstars like Angela Bassett, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker and Rihanna to him with the gravitational pull of his evening gowns. Siriano won Project Runway in 2008, the same year he debuted at New York Fashion Week. In 2013, he was admitted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America. For the 2018 Academy Awards, Siriano dressed a record 17 women, celebrities as diverse as Amy Adams, Janelle Monáe, Whoopi Goldberg and Laurie Metcalf. “The Oscars was crazy,” Siriano says. “It was a very busy few weeks. But it was a great, great moment.”

Come summer, even as we peel away layers to increase vitamin D absorption, we want to add a few new pieces as well. For a quick update that won’t block the sunshine, pick up one of these new handbag styles we spotted on the streets of NYC. Whether it’s a jaunty straw circle or a cool isosceles, these new bag shapes are the perfect place to store your sunscreen and sunnies.

Forget peacocking, parrots are the new bird mascots of the fashion set. That was our thought when we saw designer Stephanie Owen’s glitzy menagerie. Owen is the designer and founder of Elizabeth Cole jewelry, a collection of outsized statement pieces in rainbow shades that get smiles and create big looks. Her crystal feathered friends first caught our eye, but other charming characters and her elegant, classic danglers equally captivate. Fashion mavericks like Katy Perry and Mary J. Blige have also fallen for her flash.

When we spoke with Stephanie recently, we learned about her personal trove of costume jewelry, her love of interior design and how she displays her rhinestone stash around her artful home.

Mother knows best. It’s true. And if said savvy mom also has impeccable taste, she’ll want to peruse the musings of Katie Hintz-Zambrano and James Kicinski-McCoy, journalists, mamas and founders of MOTHER. Their digital digest shares maternal inspiration, news roundups, lifestyle tips and profiles in courage of mommies everywhere. What sets MOTHER apart from mommy blogs is its high-mindedness and sophistication. Sample topics include “Why Being a Stay-at-Home Mom & Feminist Aren’t Mutually Exclusive” and “The Many Benefits of Roughhousing with Your Kids.” Sample shopping lists feature Stella McCartney shoes, beautiful and bougie baby clothes, hemp oil and oil paintings. “My background is in journalism and as soon as I had my son, Diego, in the spring of 2013, I could see a gaping hole in the market for a full-service parenting site with a stylish bent,” explains Hintz-Zambrano, who resides in San Francisco. “Something that treated women as multi-dimensional people beyond being mothers. I met James [who’s in Nashville] a few months later on a press trip and we decided to join forces.”

The result is a parenting destination that’s as layered as the ladies who run it. In anticipation of Mother’s Day, we asked the multi-hyphenate hyphenates at MOTHER to share their celebration plans and gift ideas, because they definitely know best.

Kristin Frossmo has been with Nordstrom for 29 years—almost as long as her identical twin sister. She started out selling shoes in the Seattle store and now, as an executive vice president and general merchandise manager, has what many—including her—consider a dream job: she oversees all footwear.

Wearing white Céline booties and a Chloé skirt, Kristin met us in her office overlooking downtown Seattle to discuss her career and advice for young professionals, as well as her passion for shoes that dazzle—and top picks for spring.

Come spring, your wardrobe is ready for a refresh, even if all you want to do is relax. But don’t get anxious searching for new styles. Seasonal dressing can be simple and easy, like your favorite pair of sandals—which are also getting an update this spring.

The Birkenstock Arizona—yes, that one—has always been a pretty low-key, crazy comfortable shoe. It’s simple and sturdy: that’s the appeal. This spring, however, the 240-year-old brand decided that their classic could use a reboot. Don’t worry—that cushiony cork footbed remains. As do the velvety nubuck leather straps. But you’ll be surprised by these Birks’ flashy new hardware. “The Big Buckle allows us to offer a fresh perspective and have fun with a little footwear ‘bling’ without compromising on our original, authentic footbed,” said Jacqueline Van Dine, Birkenstock VP of Merchandising, about the new Arizona Big Buckle. “So you get a little sizzle with all the benefits of underfoot support and comfort.” That bit of flash caught our attention, as well as that of Elle Senior Fashion Editor Sarah Zendejas. “The larger buckle elevates the shoe, with curved edges of silver and gold hardware, and the polished gleam of metal complements the leather perfectly,” Sarah said. As a tribute to their new favorite spring sandals, she and her team at Elle put together five perfectly relaxed ways to wear the sparkly new Arizona.

Remember the rush of independence that came from getting your driver’s license? Cruising to your friend’s house after school or hitting the drive-through on your lunch break was game-changing. Wheels can be liberating. So can wheelies.

California sneaker company Vans is highlighting the power of skateboarding to change girls’ lives. This March, as part of “This Is Off the Wall,” the company’s campaign featuring international creative communities, Vans is featuring Girls Skate India. The foundation enlists international female skateboarders to teach aspiring boarders how to ollie and flip. Vans partnered to produce a video of skating students in Bangalore meeting with pros Lizzie Armanto and Atita Verghese. On March 8, for International Women’s Day, Vans will also begin hosting more than 100 skateboarding clinics in major cities such as Brooklyn, Chicago, London, St. Petersburg, Shanghai, Bangalore, São Paulo and Mexico City.

If you could dress in positivity, that outfit might look like something designed by Tory Burch. For 14 years, Burch’s bright prints, modish cuts and preppy tailoring have worked their way into most women’s wardrobes. For good reason: they’re cheerily chic. Faced with the gloom of the season and the doom of the headlines, draping oneself in Burch’s unapologetic glee is unquestionably a better response to the times than hiding under a comforter. So, today, we’re happy to announce a series of Nordstrom pop-up shops dedicated to the world of Tory Burch. Including her David Hicks–inspired pattern play in the spring ’18 collection, her new Sport styles and always adorable accessories, this carved-out space in selected stores will feature the designer’s accomplished aesthetic—let’s call it our new happy place.

In addition to the fashion, these pop-ups also feature products supporting Burch’s foundation, which promotes women entrepreneurs through education and loans. This International Women’s Day (March 8), the Tory Burch Foundation is encouraging women to #EmbraceAmbition. We spoke with the designer about this cause, her own struggles as a woman entrepreneur, and the best advice she received about her business.